Bites of poisonous snakes. Rules of human behavior in the forest, when meeting with a snake, first aid rules for the bite of a poisonous snake What to do, step by step guide

Snakes are ubiquitous, so wherever a person is, he can be attacked by them. Poisonous snakes are especially dangerous. Although the degree of aggressiveness for a person in relation to this property varies depending on their specific type. On the territory of Russia and neighboring countries, vipers and snakes are the most common. It should be noted right away that the latter are not dangerous to people. Moreover, they never attack first, crawling away to a safe distance for them. The snake can only be attacked by deliberately teasing it.

The situation is quite different with vipers and other types of poisonous snakes, since they are initially aggressive. This is worth bearing in mind as soon as you notice them. It is better to bypass them, since the presence of a person or animal is quite enough to provoke an attack. Sometimes it happens that the very moment of the bite goes unnoticed, and you realize this only after you feel worse.

Symptoms of a snake bite

Clinical manifestations of snake bites, regardless of their type, are characterized by some common features. This is due to the presence of snake venom components that have a similar effect. The main of the aggressive environments in relation to the tissues of the victim are:

Neurotoxin - affects the nervous structures;

Hemolysin - causes the breakdown of red blood cells and other blood cells;

Cardiotoxin - renders toxic effect on the heart and blood vessels;

Cholinesterase is an enzyme that disrupts neuromuscular transmission;

In addition to these toxins, snake venom contains many other components that have a destructive effect on tissues.

The general symptoms of a snake bite include:

The severity of symptoms depends on many factors, among which the main importance belongs to the following:

Type of snake, its age and size. In this regard, the most dangerous are cobras, asps, rattlesnakes. Vipers are less poisonous in relation to them, although they also cause serious deviations. Young and small snakes are less dangerous. Highly importance belongs to the intensity of the fright of the snake, under the influence of which a greater amount of poison is produced;

Bite localization. The extremities are most commonly affected, but other sites are occasionally affected. In the first case, the symptoms develop more slowly than in the case of localization of the bite on the trunk, neck, face or in the vascular area;

The age of the victim and her general condition at the time of the bite. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to snake bites. They bite even the weakest snakes can lead to lightning death. Concomitant pathology significantly aggravates the toxic effect of the poison;

Behavior after the bite. Intensive movements and running accelerate blood circulation and contribute to the rapid spread of poison throughout the body;

Infection of snake teeth with pathogenic microorganisms. It can cause infection of wounds and the development of local purulent-necrotic processes.

These factors determine the rate of increase and the degree of development of typical symptoms. They can either gradually increase with gradual layering on top of each other, or lead at lightning speed to the development of a state of shock and the rapid death of the victim. Most vipers are of the type in which the symptoms increase gradually, making their bites less dangerous than other types of snakes. Therefore, it is so important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a snakebite.

Why is the bite of specific types of poisonous snakes dangerous?

The bites of most species of snakes living in our territories rarely lead to the death of the victims. Although general toxic reactions with a threat to health develop quite often. The main danger is the formation of extensive purulent wounds at the site of a snake bite. Toxic reactions are well stopped against the background of adequately conducted antitoxic therapy.

In contrast to relatively low-venomous snakes, there are those species whose bite can cause lightning death of the patient. In this case, there is a progressive destruction of blood cells with the synchronous development of flaccid paralysis of the transverse muscles and respiratory muscles.

In this regard, the royal aspid is especially rigid. Against the background of a slight soreness of the bite itself, after a few minutes, numbness of the limbs and the whole body begins to increase, followed by complete paralysis of all muscles. If during this time you do not have time to deliver the patient to a medical institution, death will come very quickly.

cobra bites

Cobra bites are characterized by severe pain. In such cases, massive hemolysis of erythrocytes with the development of hemolytic jaundice and liver failure comes to the fore. Neurotoxic reactions are of a secondary nature, aggravating the course of the process and the general condition of the victim. There is also not much time to save a life, which requires urgent hospitalization.

Bites of pit vipers and rattlesnakes

They are characterized by severe pain and burning at the site of the bite. The edema of the affected segment grows and progresses very quickly, capturing areas remote from the primary focus. Over time, multiple bruises and blisters appear in places of edema, which tend to merge into extensive necrotic. There is a strong general hyperthermic reaction with a hectic rise in body temperature, intoxication, chills, nausea and vomiting. There is a risk of internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.

First aid for a snake / viper bite

A lot depends on the timeliness of the provision and the completeness of its volume. Therefore, it is necessary to follow a clear algorithm, thanks to which you can not only save the life of the victim, but also minimize the risk to health. Under no circumstances should you panic. Only calmly and purposefully can provide really effective help.

First aid is as follows:

Calm the victim and lay in a horizontal position. This will slow down the blood flow and the spread of the poison. If the snake is fixed to the skin after a bite, it is immediately taken away. The shorter the duration of contact, the less the amount of poison released.

Remove all jewelry from the limb to prevent tissue compression with increasing edema;

It is highly desirable to kill or accurately identify the snake if possible. If it is not possible to do this, the patient is observed. The absence of pain, swelling and any local or general manifestations is evidence of a bite not poisonous snake;

If it is clearly known that the snake is poisonous, activities begin immediately;

Immobilization (immobilization) of the bitten area with a splint or an impromptu splint;

Suction of poison from wounded surfaces. Ideally, it should be done with suction or a rubber bulb. But in their absence, they resort to suction by mouth, if there are no obvious damage to the mucosa;

If better suction is needed, small linear incisions can be made on the bite wounds;

Apply a pressure bandage above the bitten area. In this case, only the lymphatic outflow and partially the venous outflow is blocked. Arteries must function, which will prevent severe microcirculation disorders and necrotic changes;

Plentiful drink. This will reduce the concentration of toxins in the blood;

With the development of lightning-fast toxic and shock reactions, resuscitation measures are shown to restore patency respiratory tract and chest compressions.

What not to do:

Consume alcoholic beverages;

Fuss, be subjected to physical exertion;

Apply a tourniquet to the limb. This will disrupt the blood supply to the affected tissues, exacerbating necrotic changes in the skin;

Make skin incisions in the area of ​​​​edema, with the exception of bites;

Burn the bite. This does not give results, only increases the area of ​​the wound surface;

Apply warm compresses;

Massively cover the limb with ice, as this leads to an additional disruption of blood supply in the affected segment. If you provide local hypothermia, then only in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bite itself.

What should you do if you are bitten by a venomous snake?

The whole complex of measures is divided into two stages: pre-hospital and specialized medical care. The sequence and scope of actions that must be performed in a medical institution, depending on the situation and symptoms of snake bites, are clearly displayed in the table.

Against the background of treatment, a comprehensive examination of the patient with a study should be carried out. general analysis blood and hemolysis, biochemical parameters, bilirubin, liver enzymes, urinalysis, monitoring of basic vital parameters.

There is no specific prevention against venomous snake bites. Non-specific are reduced to wearing long trousers and high boots or boots when staying in areas where the distribution of snakes has been recorded. Caution and care when walking. In places remote from urban conditions, it is better to have an immune polyvalent serum against snakebite with you.

Education: in 2008 he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine (Therapeutic and Preventive Care)" at the Russian Research Medical University named after N. I. Pirogov. Immediately passed the internship and received a diploma in therapy.

Snakes are the most peculiar creatures on the planet. They amaze the human imagination with their appearance, original way movement. This makes people more interested in this species. When studying snakes, we must not forget that many of their species are poisonous. What to do with a snake bite and how to provide first aid, read the article.

snake venom

Some reptiles of this species have parotid glands that secrete poison. With the help of ducts, they are connected through the channels with the two upper teeth. When a snake bites a person, the poison enters the bloodstream and causes severe poisoning often leading to death. The question arises, what to do with a snake bite? Provide first aid immediately. But killing snakes is not necessary, as they are a source of poison, necessary for the manufacture of medicines.

The degree of poisoning by snake venom primarily depends on its dose, concentration and place of penetration. Therefore, the consequences are different. Great importance has a person's age and state of health. The most dangerous are bites in the head and torso. If the poison, when bitten, enters immediately into a vessel with blood, a person can die in five to ten minutes. for example, twice as dangerous when injected intramuscularly than subcutaneously. What should you do if you get bitten by a snake? Urgently, without wasting a minute, provide first aid. How to do this, read the article.

When can a snake bite?

For example, does not take active steps to attack. This happens when a person steps on her, tries to touch her with his hands, or accidentally falls into her nest. In this case, her attack has a justification: she is defending her territory. To avoid you need to be extremely careful in its habitats.

The snake is deaf, but it perfectly feels the slightest vibration of the earth along which a person walks. She won't get close, she just crawls away. The greatest probability to meet a viper in a mushroom season. To prevent this from happening, you need to take any stick and tap it on the ground in front of you.

Symptoms of Poison Poisoning

• Bite marks are noticeable - two wounds that have a triangular shape.
• There is pain and a burning sensation.
• Redness of the tissues around the bite.
• Edema that spreads rapidly.

• Hemorrhages.
• Weakness all over the body.
• The head is spinning.
• There is pallor of the skin, nausea and vomiting with blood.
• The body temperature rises to forty degrees.

Signs of severe poisoning

In severe poisoning, hemorrhages spread in patches beyond the bite site. The affected area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body becomes purple-bluish in color, and the skin becomes covered with blisters filled with bloody, cloudy fluid. Often the condition of the victim is complicated by the occurrence of vein thrombosis, lymphadenitis. This can occur 8-36 hours after the snake bite, when the poison is introduced into the human body. In this case, there is a strong increase in the volume of the affected area. Ranki for a long time bleed, ulcers and necrosis later form. What to do with a bite to avoid negative consequences? First of all, it is correct to provide assistance and urgently take the victim to the hospital.

What to do when bitten by a snake

• First aid to the victim should be provided by a person who knows how to do it. Wrong actions can do harm.
• It is extremely rare, but it happens that a snake, such as a viper, clings tightly and does not want to let go. It must be torn from the skin by force.
• When bitten by a snake, what to do? Until the wound begins to heal, you can suck out the poison. Only a person should not have any wounds in his mouth, otherwise he himself will be poisoned.
• What to do when bitten by a snake? First aid is provided in order to prevent the spread of poison throughout the body, so the victim needs to be kept calm, and not moved from place to place.
• Apply a compression bandage to the bite site, but do not apply a tourniquet above or below it.

• What to do with a snake bite, if it fell on the arm or leg? First of all, you need to remove everything that is worn on the limbs. The venom always causes significant swelling, all jewelry and hygiene items will interfere with blood circulation, which can lead to gangrene.
• When bitten by a snake, what to do? If you have it on hand, then take an allergy pill.
• For the fastest removal of poison from the body, the victim must be provided. At least three liters of water or a little sweetened tea should be consumed. You need to drink liquid in small sips.

What Not to Do

• The most dangerous and common mistake in providing first aid to the victim is the use of a tourniquet, which is applied to the arm or leg. This will not help the spread of the poison, as it is more aggressive and will still enter the body. But the bitten place will suffer. The fact is that the poison provokes such a process as tissue necrosis. If a snake has bitten a leg or arm, the tourniquet can lead to gangrene.
• It is unacceptable to incise the wound, you can bring the infection.
• You can not burn the bite site. This won't help, as the viper injects its venom deep. Cauterization only once again injures the bite site.
• Do not take alcohol, it accelerates the action of the poison.
• Don't waste your time chasing a snake.

What to do when bitten by a snake? The main thing is to keep calm. Panic won't do you any good. If a person is confused and fear settles in him, you can lose time. You should know that a viper bite is very rarely fatal, even if the victim did not seek medical help.

• In nature, there are two thousand six hundred species of various snakes. In most cases, they prey on a moving object. The exception is those snakes that feed on carrion. For example, the snake is ovoid.
• Spitting species fall on their backs with their mouths open when danger is detected, pretending to be dead. At the same time, they give off a fetid smell. This is a kind of protection against predator attacks. They do not like carrion with a bad smell.
• On the head of a viper, a boa constrictor and a python, there is such an organ that instantly reacts to any temperature changes, thanks to which snakes hunt perfectly at night.

• considered the fastest snake, its speed of movement is sixteen kilometers per hour. Coloring does not match the first word of the name. This snake is grey, green or brown. She is not black.
• The longest snake on the planet is the Fluffy python, a resident of the Ohio State Zoo. Its length is seven meters thirty-one centimeters. This is a representative of the Guinness Book of Records.
• You have probably heard more than once that in Mexico there is a herbivore snake, whose body is covered with thick hair. Rumor has it that she has long become a pet, children love to play with her. Perhaps we will disappoint you, but such a snake does not exist, in fact, herbivorous furry reptiles are a myth.

Snake venom poisoning is studied in such a branch of medicine as clinical toxicology, and not only physicians, but also those who work in the agricultural industry, often go outdoors or travel should have information about the rules for conducting emergency measures and methods for preventing their bites. Every year, about 2 million people suffer from snake bites, of which about 110-120 thousand people die. In Europe, these are isolated cases, in the USA - about 15 people, and in countries such as India, Brazil and Burma - the highest rate in the world.

On the territory of Russia, the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine, there are about 11 species of poisonous snakes that are dangerous to humans. The most common families are: already-shaped, aspid, viper and pit-headed. Many snakes are not at all dangerous to people, they are not aggressive and attack only with a deliberately aggressive attitude of a person. Their venom is secreted from the tooth, which is located deep in the mouth and affects only the victim in the mouth of the reptile. The situation is different with vipers and other types of poisonous snakes: they are always aggressive towards any human intrusion into their habitat.

To provoke an attack on their part, the mere presence of a person or animal is enough. That is why in their habitats one should behave extremely cautiously and immediately bypass the seen reptile. There are also cases when the moment of a snake bite goes unnoticed until the first signs of poisoning appear or signs of skin bite are detected.

The aspid family is represented on the territory of Russia by only one species - the Central Asian cobra, the viper family - various types vipers, efami and gyurza, and the family of pitheads - ordinary and eastern muzzle. The greatest probability of meeting with gyurza, muzzle, sand efa and some varieties of vipers (Caucasian, Radde, nosy) is observed in the Transcaucasus and Central Asia, and a meeting with the Central Asian cobra can occur in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and southern Uzbekistan. In addition to land poisonous snakes, marine varieties of these reptiles dangerous to humans are also found. You can meet them at coastal waters tropical seas.

Snake venom is a complex substance that consists of a set of proteins and biologically active components that have an indirect or direct toxic effect on human systems and organs. Usually a snake attacks a person or animal only in self-defense, and about 70% of bites occur on the legs. Aggressiveness of snakes increases during mating season or molting, but the fact of a snake bite does not always cause poisoning of the body. For example, when bitten by a viper, a snake does not release poison in 25% of cases, and coral snakes and cobras - in about 50%.

The most severe poisoning with snake venom occurs when drunkenness, high temperature air, in children, women, people with concomitant diseases, people with a small body weight and when poison is injected into the neck, head or large blood vessel. And the most dangerous are the bites of large snakes. The most dangerous for humans is the bite of the black mamba, which lives in the central, eastern and southern parts of the African continent. This snake during the attack is capable of speeds up to 20 km per hour and death after its bite is observed in 95-100% of cases.

In this article, we will introduce you to the symptoms of poisoning and bites from some venomous snakes, how to prevent them, and how to provide first aid and treatment.

Symptoms of snake bites and snake venom poisoning

The severity and nature of the symptoms of a snakebite can be characterized by some common features, since snake venoms also contain the same components that have similar effects on the human body. These toxins include the following:

• neurotoxin - affects and causes disorders in the functioning of the nervous system;
• cholinesterase - an enzyme that disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses from nerves to muscles;
• cardiotoxin - affects and causes disorders in functioning;
• hemolysin - provokes the destruction of blood cells and red blood cells.

Symptoms that appear in the victim after a snake bite can be divided into:

• common - appear when bitten by any poisonous snake and are expressed with varying degrees of intensity;
• specific - characteristic of poisoning with a certain type of snake venom.

General symptoms

Common symptoms of bites and poisoning by snake venom include:

1. local signs. On the skin, one or two wounds that have a triangular shape are determined. They measure about 2-3 mm and are located on the same level. In the bite area, such signs of inflammation are determined: redness, swelling, and sensations of burning and pain. Bloody secretions stand out from the wounds, and on, surrounding place bite, hemorrhages or bluish spots may appear.
2. General reactions. The victim's temperature rises (to high numbers), muscle pains, vomiting and loose stools with blood impurities appear. Gradually, renal and hepatic insufficiency increases.
3. Neurological disorders. The victim has a feeling of muscle weakness, clouding of consciousness, numbness (especially in the bite area), decreased visual acuity, double vision, inability to focus, facial muscle distortion, drooping of the eyelids and impaired swallowing.
4. Cardiovascular disorders. The victim's pulse quickens, blood pressure decreases or rises (sometimes to critical numbers), breathing quickens and pains appear in the region of the heart and in the chest.

The severity of symptoms of snake venom poisoning depends on many factors:

1. The behavior of the victim after the bite. Running, moving fast, walking, or panicking will speed up the spread of the poison throughout the body.
2. Type of snake, its size and age. The most dangerous are the bites of rattlesnakes, asp and cobras, less are the bites of snakes of the viper family, but they can also cause serious deviations and death (in 1% of cases). Poisoning by the venom of young or small snakes is less dangerous. In addition, the degree of fright of the snake before the attack can also affect the toxicity of the poison: the more frightened and aggressive the snake is, the more toxic its poison becomes.
3. Bite localization. More quickly, the symptoms of poisoning develop when a bite is applied to the head, neck, torso and large blood vessels. When defeated lower extremities symptoms develop more slowly.
4. The age and general health of the victim. More susceptible to snake venom toxins are children, the elderly, women, and those suffering from serious illnesses or who are intoxicated. In such cases, death can occur at lightning speed.
5. The presence of pathogenic bacteria on the snake's teeth. Infection of the wound can cause the development of severe purulent complications, necrotic processes and sepsis.
6. High air temperature. Hot climate promotes faster blood flow through the vessels and the spread of poison.

All these factors contribute to the increase and progression of the general symptoms of snake venom poisoning. Depending on their combination and severity, the signs of poisoning can be aggravated with layering on top of each other or cause a lightning reaction and the rapid onset of death of the victim with lightning speed.

Viper bite symptoms

The composition of viper venom includes enzymes toxic to the human body such as:

• phospholipase;
• hyaluronidase.

Viper venom destroys the walls of capillaries and blood vessels, red blood cells, forms blood clots and causes circulatory disorders. Under its influence, the water-mineral balance, the activity of the cardiovascular system and the liver are disturbed.

A victim of a viper bite has the following symptoms:

• 1 or 2 wounds from biting the skin with teeth, relatively mild pain, swelling that appears after 10-30 minutes, redness, burning, areas of hemorrhage, purple-bluish spots and areas of skin necrosis at the site of the bite;
• dizziness and headache;
• tachycardia;
• decrease in body temperature and fever as the symptoms of poisoning increase;
• pallor;
• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• confusion or fainting;
• nausea;
• sweating;
• dyspnea;
• development .

Symptoms of the bite of the Central Asian cobra and other snakes of the aspid family

The composition of the poison of the Central Asian cobra includes:

• neurotoxin;
• cardiotoxin;
• hyaluronidase;
• phospholipase;
• cholinesterase.

A victim of a bite from a Central Asian cobra and other snakes from the aspid family has the following symptoms:

• intense burning pain in the area of ​​the bite of the skin (decreases within a few hours);
• at the site of the bite, the skin color does not change, the skin becomes swollen, bloody fluid is released from the wounds;
• when a limb is damaged, its paralysis develops, which spreads upward, capturing the muscles of the trunk and face;
• violation of the movement of the eyeballs;
• swallowing disorder;
• hiccups
• difficulty breathing;
• prolapse of the eyelids and lower jaw;
• salivation;
• speech disorder;
• involuntary urination and defecation;
• rapid development of signs of intoxication: severe weakness, nausea, vomiting;
• expressed anxiety;
• disturbance of consciousness;
• weakening of the heart.

Death can occur 2-7 hours after the bite.

Rattlesnake and pit viper bite symptoms

The venom of pit vipers and rattlesnakes contains:

• hemocoagulants, hemorrhagins and hemolysins - cause the destruction of red blood cells, contribute to vascular thrombosis and increase their permeability, subsequently their action leads to a decrease in blood clotting and the development of DIC-like syndrome;
• cytotoxins - lead to damage to the kidneys, heart, liver and cause tissue necrosis in the bite area.

After being bitten by pit vipers (aquatic muzzle, copperhead muzzle) and rattlesnakes, teeth marks and scratches appear on the skin. The victim develops severe pain and severe burning at the site of the bite. The temperature of the skin at the bite site rises. Edema at the bite site appears after 30-60 minutes and progresses rapidly, spreading to the surrounding tissues, and after 6-8 hours, bullae (blisters) with serous and bloody contents and multiple bruises appear on the skin, which merge and can form necrotic wounds. In most cases, tissue necrosis develops with bites. rattlesnake. And the peak of manifestation of the action of the poison is observed during the first 2-4 days.

The victim develops intoxication and hectic fever:

• the temperature rises to high numbers;
• chills appear;
• sweating;
• intoxication develops;
• nausea and vomiting appear;
• there is a risk of spontaneous bleeding from the stomach or intestines;
• possible decrease in blood pressure and the development of shock;
• the appearance of a rubbery, metallic or minty taste in the mouth (with rattlesnake bites).

When poisoned by rattlesnake venoms, the victims develop changes in blood clotting: an increase in INR, a decrease in the number of platelets, hypofibrinemia. Blood coagulation disorders can lead to the development of DIC-like syndrome, manifested by hemorrhages on the skin, spontaneous bleeding, blood in the stool and urine.

In case of poisoning by the venoms of the rhombic rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake, serious neurological disorders and signs of difficulty in breathing may occur.

When poisoned by the poisons of most North American snakes, the victims show signs of impaired neuromuscular conduction:

• muscle weakness;
• muscle twitching;
• paresthesia.

In some cases, the victims have a change in mental status.

Symptoms of bites of coral snakes

Coral asps are common in the South and North America. The bites of these snakes pose a real threat to life, and every year about 7-8 people die from poisoning with their poison. Without timely assistance, a person can die 20-24 hours after the bite from respiratory arrest and heart disorders provoked by the action of neurotoxins and hemolysin.

With the bites of these snakes, in most cases, pain and swelling of the skin is minimal, transient or completely absent, and such symptoms are often mistaken for a dry bite. This fact can be misleading for both the victim and the doctors.

A few hours later, the victim develops weakness of the bitten limb, and after 12 hours, neuromuscular disorders begin to appear. These include the following symptoms:

• muscle weakness;
• an increase in axillary lymph nodes;
• cold sweat;
• headache;
• fear of light;
• pain and itching in the ears;
• sensations of roaring and crackling in the ears against the background of sudden nocturnal deafness;
• clicking in the ears during swallowing;
• black earwax;
• coldness of the lower extremities;
• rash on the feet;
• cold sensations in the bones;
• stitching pains under the nails;
• drowsiness;
• changes in consciousness;
• decreased visual acuity;
• fear of rain;
• euphoria or depression and fear;
• fear of loneliness;
• muscle weakness;
• paralysis of cranial nerves: ptosis, swallowing disorders, salivation, drooping of the upper eyelids, blurred vision, double vision, impaired speech, swallowing and breathing;
• stomach ache;
• pain when swallowing and a feeling of constriction in the throat;
• signs;
• bad breath;
• nasal congestion;
• with sensations of pain in the nasal cavity;
• purulent and fetid discharge from the nose and the formation of yellow-green crusts (ozena) in the nasal cavity;
• diarrhea from cold water or debilitating diarrhea in debilitated patients;
• the appearance of ulcers and erosions in the intestines and stomach
• rash on the lips;
• fainting when trying to tilt the body forward.

Such manifestations of coral snake poisoning continue for 3-6 days. In the absence of timely medical care and mechanical ventilation, the victim may die from respiratory failure and respiratory arrest.

What not to do with snake bites?

1. Apply a tourniquet. The imposition of a tourniquet contributes to a sharp violation of blood circulation in the limb and contributes to a more severe tissue damage.
2. Burn the bite.
3. Take alcohol.
4. Make incisions in places of swelling or bite for the outflow of "poisoned blood".
5. Treat the bite site with adrenaline or local anesthetics.
6. Apply heat.
7. Apply ice to the affected leg or arm long time. Cold exposure to the bite area should be local.

First aid tactics for a snake bite

The timeliness of first aid for a snake bite largely determines the further prognosis.

First aid for a snake bite is as follows:

1. Lay the victim in a horizontal position and calm. When fixing the snake to the skin, it is immediately removed. If possible, the snake is identified or killed for further examination by a specialist.
2. Call an ambulance (if possible).
3. If it is impossible to identify the snake, the victim is observed. The absence of pain, burning and swelling in the area of ​​​​the bite may indicate that the snake is not poisonous.
4. Remove clothing and jewelry from the affected area, which can contribute to circulatory disorders and aggravate swelling.

If it is known for sure that the bitten snake is poisonous, then first aid measures begin to be carried out immediately.

Urgent care

1. Immobilize the affected limb (immobilize) with an impromptu bandage or splint.
2. Suction of the poison should be carried out in the first 5-10 minutes after the bite, because in more late dates it's not as efficient anymore. The timely implementation of this emergency measure helps to remove about 50% of the poison from the body. If possible, it is better to use suction or a rubber bulb for this procedure, and in their absence, suction is performed by mouth. To perform suction, grab the skin at the puncture site into a fold and slightly stretch it (so the puncture sites from the teeth will open better). Grasp the surrounding skin areas with your teeth and suck out the poison while pressing down on the skin. Saliva with poison should be spit out immediately. The same actions should be performed for 20 minutes.
3. Disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. To treat the wound, it is better not to use alcohol or alcohol solutions.
4. Apply a loose bandage of a clean cloth or bandage to the wound and a moderately compressive bandage on the entire limb (the finger should freely penetrate under the surface of the bandage and not cause discomfort to the victim).
5. Apply ice to the bite site. When using ice, it should be removed every 5-7 minutes (to prevent tissue frostbite).
6. To reduce the symptoms of intoxication, the victim should drink as much as possible (up to 3-5 liters of drinking or alkaline mineral water per day), take vitamin K and C. Alkalinization of water can be done by preparing a soda solution: 1-2 teaspoons of soda per 1 liter of water. If possible, a dropper with 5% glucose solution (400 ml) should be placed. To lower blood pressure, you can use an intravenous infusion of 400 ml of Reopoliglyukin.
7. Give the patient to take antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Loratadine, Tavegil, Levocetirizine) or inject intramuscularly (1 ml of 1% solution of Diphenhydramine, Pipolfen or Suprastin).
8. Give the patient to take glucocorticoid drugs (Dexamethasone - 2-4 mg / day, Prednisolone - 5 mg / day) or administer them intramuscularly (Prednisolone - 30-60 mg, Dexamethasone - 80 mg).
9. After being bitten by a cobra, the victim may have difficulty breathing. To stabilize it, a cotton swab moistened with ammonia should be brought to the patient's nose.
10. With signs of respiratory and heart failure, the patient is administered Cordiamin, Ephedrine and Caffeine.
11. When breathing and cardiac activity stop, artificial respiration and chest compressions are performed.

Antidotes

In case of poisoning with snake venom, the introduction of antidotes - anti-snake sera is indicated. Their introduction is most effective in the first hours or days after the bite. Subsequently, if necessary, the introduction of sera can be repeated.

Serum "Antigyurza"

After a snake bite from the viper family or gyurza, it is necessary to administer anti-snake serum "Antigyurza" (available in ampoules of 500 IU 2-5 m). The introduction of this antidote is most effective in the first hours after the bite.

To prevent development, serum is injected subcutaneously (into the subscapular region) according to a certain scheme (Bezredko's method):

• first enter 0.1 ml;
• after 10-15 minutes another 0.25 ml is injected;
• in the absence of signs of an anaphylactic reaction, the remaining dose of serum is administered.

With a mild degree of poisoning, the introduction of 500-1000 IU is indicated, with an average - 1500-2000 IU, with severe - 2500-3000 IU.

Serum "Anticobra"

The introduction of Anticobra serum is indicated for bites of Central Asian cobras and snakes of the aspid family. Serum is administered at a dose of 300 ml in combination with intravenous administration of 0.05% Prozerin solution 0.5 mg and 1% Atropine sulfate solution every half hour.

Treatment for poisoning with snake venoms

Treatment of poisoning with snake venom should be comprehensive and include symptomatic, detoxification and specific therapy. If necessary, resuscitation and artificial ventilation of the lungs are carried out.

The tactics of treatment is determined by the complexity of the clinical case and consists in the following activities:

1. To reduce the allergic reaction, the patient is shown taking desensitizing drugs and corticosteroid hormones. The duration of their administration and dosage depend on the severity of the patient's condition.
2. Detoxification therapy consists in the infusion of sodium chloride solutions, Refortan, glucose, Ringer, fresh frozen plasma and forced diuresis with diuretics (Trifas, Furosemide).
3. To eliminate the neurotoxic effects of the poison, anticholinesterase agents are used - Prozerin, Galantamine.
4. To prevent secondary infection and purulent complications, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used (Ceftim, Levofloxacin, Cefataxime, etc.).
5. For the prevention of hepatic and renal insufficiency, the patient is prescribed the introduction of Eufillin and the use of hepatoprotectors (Gepadif, Essentiale, Berlition, etc.).
6. In severe poisoning (especially children), hemosorption is also indicated.

During treatment, monitoring of basic vital parameters and indicators of the general blood test, its biochemical parameters and general urinalysis is always carried out.

Prevention of snake bites

There is no specific way to prevent venomous snake bites.

To prevent snake bites, the following rules of conduct should be observed:

1. When you see a snake, you should not perform actions that provoke a snake to attack: shout, tease, or make sudden movements.
2. When entering a potential risk area, be sure to wear boots or high boots and thick clothing.
3. If you are walking on tall grass, then use a stick with which you can make sure that there is no snake.
4. When walking in the habitats of snakes, look under your feet.
5. When staying in places that are far from cities and medical institutions, carry drugs with antidotes.
6. At long stay in nature in tents or sleeping bags, carefully choose a suitable place to spend the night. It should be on a hill with low vegetation, away from mountains and rocks.
7. Be sure to check tents and sleeping bags for snakes whenever you need to use them.

Which doctor should I contact?

When bitten by a snake, you should call an ambulance or immediately deliver the patient, providing him with maximum physical rest, to the emergency department of any medical institution (it is desirable that it has an intensive care unit). Subsequently, the patient may need to consult doctors of such specialties: toxicologist, cardiologist, neuropathologist, nephrologist, surgeon, gastroenterologist, hepatologist, etc.

Varsenia Masalygina

What to do when bitten by a snake?

Snakes are a special class of reptiles, of which there are about two thousand species in the world. Having appeared in the era of dinosaurs, they evolved and were able to adapt to different living conditions. Snakes can simultaneously cause both fear and admiration, but it is still better to avoid meeting with them.

Snakes in Russia

Every corner of our planet is inhabited by snakes, so a person can easily become their victim. Of course, it depends on how venomous the snake is and what level of aggressiveness it has.

The video below shows the most poisonous snakes of the CIS countries:

Two types of snakes are common in Russia: snakes and vipers.

Already

It's a non-venomous snake. It has a large and slightly elongated head. The average length does not exceed 1.5 meters.

They have a variety of colors, but the predominant colors are dark and olive.

Their diet consists of mice, fish, frogs.

A distinctive feature of snakes is two light symmetrical spots almost white color.

Viper

In Russia, the most common poisonous snake considered a viper. The length of the snake does not exceed 65 centimeters. The color of the viper is orange, red, blue, brown.

Life expectancy reaches 15 years, but there have been cases when the snake lived up to 30.

It feeds mainly on lizards, rodents, and amphibians.

A special sign of the viper is a stripe running along the back, its color is darker than the main color.

habitats

Adders and vipers prefer the same terrain.

The best habitat for them are lake and river banks, swamps, forests. They love to bask in the sun and spend a large number of time swimming in the water.

snake behavior

Neither the viper nor the viper is the first to attack people. This can only happen if they step on them.

Noticing a person nearby, these snakes try to hide as quickly as possible. If the snake did not have time to hide, then it immediately begins to take a defensive position.

She tries to behave as aggressively as possible in front of a person, this is manifested in hissing, hostile lunges of her head forward.

In cases of real danger, the behavior of snakes and vipers is significantly different from each other.

So, for example, it already pretends to be dead, and the viper, on the contrary, begins to show serious aggression.

What to do with a bite?

In a collision with a viper, it is necessary to exclude all sudden movements, and try to move back smoothly and slowly.

In the place where the snake's venom got, edema instantly forms. It is followed by dizziness, headache, nausea, internal blood clotting occurs.

If the case is very severe, then there are changes in the kidneys and liver.

A viper bite looks like two wounds just one centimeter apart.

If bitten by a snake, there will be only small scratches.

The bite of a viper is very painful. It is considered the most dangerous if it is closer to the head.

In cases of a bite from a viper or other poisonous snake, you need to exclude any panic, and act clearly and decisively, adhering to certain rules:

• You need to call an ambulance and begin to perform urgent actions on your own.
• The victim should be placed horizontally, since this position will help slow down the flow of blood and spread the poison.
• After that, you must definitely try to suck the poison out of the wounds with your mouth. But this can only be done by those who do not have any damage to the mucosa.
• In order for the wounds to open, it is enough to squeeze the skin at the site of the bite for blood to come out. You can also make small incisions and squeeze out the blood a little bit.
• Any venom that has been sucked out should be spit out. The process of extracting the toxic substance can take 10-15 minutes.
• A tight and clean bandage is applied to the bite site.
• It is very important to keep the bitten limb immobile.
• The victim should drink as much liquid as possible, which will help reduce the concentration of toxins that have entered the body.
• To relieve an allergic reaction, you should drink antihistamines.
• After providing first aid, you need to deliver the victim to the hospital as soon as possible.

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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Despite the fact that most people believe that snakes are extremely aggressive, in fact they are poisonous species it is common to attack on its own only in very rare cases. As a rule, the person himself is guilty of the attack of these poisonous animals, since it is he who, in most cases, disturbs the snake or, for some reason, attacks it. First aid for a snake bite involves washing the affected area with running water, squeezing poison out of it, and fixing the affected limb. In addition, the wound must be wrapped with a sterile bandage, and then the victim should be taken to a medical facility.

Types of snakes that are most dangerous to humans

Specific features of poisonous snakes:
All poisonous snakes have slit-like eyes and a head that resembles a triangle in appearance. If we talk about the common viper, then it has a special color, but the main tone still remains cinnamon, while a zigzag pattern is visible on the back. Gyurza has a very large thick body, which has a reddish-brown or grayish-sandy color. Throughout the back of the viper there are transversely elongated spots. Efe is characterized by a golden-sandy color, while quite large white spots are located along the entire body, and a light zigzag is drawn on the side. The so-called cross is on the head of the efa.

It is also important to have some information about how poisonous snakes behave. For example, a cobra, when it attacks a person, tends to make a kind of throw, the length of which is equal to the third part of its body. Explicit hallmark It is customary to consider a cobra its threat posture: the front third of the body takes a vertical position, the hood swells, the head sways from side to side, while the snake emits a hiss. If we talk about gyurza, then at the moment of threat it bends the front of the body in the form of a zigzag.

Efa at such moments turns into a rosette, in the center of which there is a head with a specific pattern, which in its entirety resembles a cross or a bird at the time of flight. In the case of a bite from a non-venomous snake, two stripes of thin small scratches are noted on the body of the victim. If the bite was carried out by a poisonous snake, then there are also two stripes of scratches on the face, but at their ends there are also punctures left by fangs.

Signs of a snake bite:

• Clearly marked one or two puncture wounds or scratches.
• Increasing swelling around the bite and pain at the site of the lesion.
• Vomiting, cold sweat, fever, drowsiness, severe nausea, muscle weakness.
• Violation of vision, namely "split" in the eyes.
• Labored breathing.

First aid for snakebite

• Stay calm and immediately send someone to get help from a specialist doctor or, if possible, call an ambulance yourself.
• To prevent the poison from spreading through the body at an accelerated pace, try to move as little as possible. In no case should the victim move independently. He should immediately be laid down and provided with complete rest. Plus, the affected area should be completely immobilized, while fixing it with a bandage. If the bite fell on the upper limb, then it is fixed in a bent position.
• In the event of a snakebite, immediately suck out poison from the affected area. In this case, it is necessary to squeeze the tissue around the wound with your teeth, while simultaneously sucking out and squeezing out the liquid. The resulting liquid should be spit out as soon as possible. The whole process usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes. During this period of time, approximately twenty to fifty percent of the poison is extracted. Do not worry that the poison will penetrate into your body. In fact, this is unrealistic. First of all, the person who comes to the rescue always spits out poison. In addition, the amount of poison that can still enter the body is very small and cannot cause intoxication.
• We disinfect the wound with brilliant green or iodine, after which we apply a tight bandage to the site of the lesion. The stronger the edema develops, the weaker the bandage should be made. Thus, it will be possible to avoid damage to soft tissues.
• The victim should take great amount liquids, namely water, tea and so on. This will make it possible to cleanse the body of the existing poison much faster.
• If necessary, do heart massage and artificial respiration.
• It is necessary to hospitalize the victim as soon as possible, since only in the hospital they will be able to introduce a special polyvalent anti-snake serum.

• Cut out the affected area or cut it crosswise. Cuts with objects such as glass, a knife, and others can cause infection.
• To do cauterization in the place of defeat with such hot objects as gunpowder or coals from a fire.
• In fact, such cauterizations are not effective, since the length of the teeth of a poisonous snake is one centimeter. As a result, the poison tends to penetrate very deep into the tissues. Cauterization on the surface of the skin will not have any healing effect at all, but it can provoke the development of a scab, under which suppuration develops.
• Apply a tourniquet above the lesion. This will only worsen the general well-being of the victim, as well as increase the risk of his death.
• Consume alcoholic beverages. Understand that alcohol is not an antidote, it does not allow the poison to leave the body, as it only enhances its effect. In such cases, urgent